The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-17
THE ATKINS SAW WORKS STRIKE.
A Better Feeling Manifested. and Work Will
Probably Be Resumed at Once.

When the whistle at E. G. Atkins g. Co g saw
works sounded yesterd..,, morning. At 7 o'clock
but three OF the Two hundred employees went to
work. Mr.. Atkins at once posted on the big
glass door leading to the Office this sign: 'These
works are shut down until further notice" This
was the sequence Of the strike of twenty of the
employees a few days ago. Their grievance was
placed before the Knights of Labor, but that
body refused to advise strike, and the men
then concluded to go out on their own response
bilty. The trouble began with the employees in
the cross-cut saw department. when Mr. Atkins
notified them that he had decided to pat
on number of apprentices. It is
difficult to get. skilled workmen,
and, as it was thought a reduction of wages was
to be made. the men, on the advice of saw-mak-
ers from Cincinnati recently employed at the At
kins works, began their strike. Merritt A. Pot
ter, secretary of the company. said yesterday
afternoon: Last Thursday there was paper
sent into the Office signed by twelve cross cut
sawworkers and eight apprentices, demanding
that the company should enter into an agree
ment not to reduce wages for one year. No at
tention was paid to the communication, but Sat
urday Mr. Atkins addressed the men and said
that he could sign no such paper. He told them
the company had no intention of reducing wages
He was satisfied with the present condition of
things, and asked them to 60 along peaceably as
heretofore. They all promised to continue work
Monday morning, but the cross cut saw men did
not return. The past two weeks we have been
arranging to put some apprentices, the first
we have put on for several years. We COM
PEELED to do it because we cannot get enough men
to do the work. and that think is the cause of
the whole trouble. Monday, the cross-cut saw
men sent in another communication stating that
they would not 60 to work until their demands
we're met They also sent a committee to talk
to us, and we told them that we would have to
put on the apprentices. Monday evening they
all quit work, but two three When the
whole matter is simmered down there are no
differences between US, and the whole trouble is
over the putting on of the apprentices"
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Atkins met the cross
cut saw in hall on the corner of South
aud Tennessee Streets and three hours were oc-
cupled in discussing their differences. Mr..
Atkins is a Knight of Labor himself, and told
the men that he did not intend to do anything to
injure their condition in the least. Quite num-
Der OF the employees expressed themselves as
willing to return to work but the majority were
opposed to giving in so easily. After the ad
journment of the meeting the men had private
conference. 1t is thought they will go again
this morning Mr.. Atkins feels confident tina,
the trouble has been arranged satisfactorily.
The men have been making average of s.
per day, with steady work, and among working
men generally the opinion is expressed that
there is no cause for their remaining out.